My Childhood ...

 I am a child of the 80's. 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday to My Hubby!

Happy Happy 55th Birthday to my amazing and incredible husband! 🥳 We have had some pretty good dings, bumps and bruises during this journey called LIFE, but I wouldn't ever trade them!!

 

Cheers to sharing many more and coming out on top!! I 💖 You Babe!!!

 

 

Happy Admin's Day!

Today is Administrative Professionals Day. Since this day falls on a Wednesday and that is normally my remote day, I am not usually at the office. I swapped my office days this week and got to celebrate with my co-workers. The CPI PA, Jess, ordered pizza for all of the admins and handed out cupcakes!! We were special today! 😊

Sea of Thieves - moment of reflection

Getting ready to hop back on SOT. We were doing pretty good last night, and even took down a few skeleton ships and managed to nab a bunch of loot. We were in the process of selling said loot when a Reaper ship came upon us and scuttled our ship. LOL! Quite hilarious. I think Dani got one shot before our cannons were out of range. T was trying to sell our loot as fast as he could and Skye and I were trying to repair the ship to no avail. T made it back, and the three of us sank with our galleon. Where was Dani? Oh she bailed on us and tried to get away, but got attacked on a ladder. 😂 So, the Reapers made off with our emissary flag and some extra loot we didn't get a chance to sell.

 

Our Moment of Reflection on the end of the deck with our pets, which we got a commendation for.

 

 

Zoo trip

The weather was nice this weekend so we had planned a trip to the zoo. The traffic was unbelievably crazy, and there was not even a scheduled event taking place. Every parking lot we passed on the way to the entrance was closed. The entrance was actually coned off and two police officers were directing traffic. One of the officers must have been having a bad day because he did not look happy and when my husband asked him a question, he got snappy and was downright rude. He exhibited behavior of someone who should NOT be wearing the uniform. Needless to say, we should have gotten his badge ID number and name and reported him. We were finally directed in and found a parking space relatively close. Wow. 

We had packed lunch and had our cooler full of drinks, too. While we were eating under the covered picnic area, this little guy kept coming up to my husband. The pumpernickel bread didn't go over well, but the little guy likes Doritos! LOL!

The day was beautiful and we ended up getting to see some of the big cats and a few other Texas animals that were hiding the last time we had visited. 😊

Remote Day!

When you wake up in the morning to log onto your PC and see a note. My husband is such a ham! Gotta love that man!! I got a keeper! 😍

Happy Birthday T

Happy 24th Birthday to our son T!! 🥳 We hope you have had an awesome weekend celebrating. Six Flags yesterday and a Birthday celebration today with gifts, homemade enchiladas, and cake!! 🎂 I am one proud mom of this young man!!! He has a heart of gold!!

FB Memories

Gotta love Facebook Memories! Well, sometimes. This one popped up for April 14th.

Aww! 😌 I went from having the best unit to not having a unit. LOL! It was just a year ago that my supervisor received an award and now she has moved on to a different position within the agency. Most of my workers that were here last year, have since left or have promoted upward.

I wonder if we are having a regional meeting this year. 😶

 

 

Day at Six Flags

We went to Six Flags today for Viva Fiesta and T wanted to go for his birthday weekend. 😊 It was a really nice day to be out and about. The weather was nice and breezy and we decided to grab lunch at JB's BBQ and eat outside. We walked around and enjoyed the day. The only ride we hopped on was the Mine Train and they are now set up for Flash Pass. Yay! That means we will be able to take advantage of our skip the line passes that come with our memberships. We rarely use them because the rides you can use them for we don't ride. But the Mine Train is our favorite!!! Fun day!!! 

Titanic

On this day, 112 years ago, April 14th 1912, passengers on board RMS Titanic had this menu served for all three classes. For most of them this will be their last meal.

 

 

Sunday Blessings - online worship

 

Order of the Worship of God
— April 14, 2024 —
Third Sunday of Easter 

Started the service off this morning singing How Great Thou Art!!!!

How Great Thou Art

Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

 

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

 

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

 

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Songwriters: Stuart Keene Hine

How Great Thou Art lyrics © Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd., Manna Music Inc, Stuart Hine Trust, Emerald Music (ireland) Ltd

 

 

Titanic's last sunrise

On this day 112 years ago, April 14, 1912, RMS Titanic is traveling thought the sea at 21 knots.
First class passenger, Helen Candee sneaks out at dawn to watch what will be the Titanic's last ever sunrise.

 

Totality = Awesome!!!

I remember seeing some type of eclipse back in 1983 (I think). I was in daycare at the time at North Hi Mount and we made eclipse glasses out of cereal boxes and stuff. It was cool. 

 

Seeing a total solar eclipse was awesome! The clouds literally parted just in time for totality! God did that! It was amazing!! 😎 Our neighborhood erupted in cheers all around. I snapped these pics with Solar Snap.

 

 Roblox even had a couple of games for the total solar eclipse!

 

 

Only in Texas

 

The Puzzling Puzzle Piece

Nothing is Missing: Why the Puzzle Piece Needs Replaced

It seems every time we flip the calendar each month, a new awareness is taking place. In most cases, there is a symbol and a color associated with the topic to be aware of. For example, the ribbons that many groups, foundations, and organizations have adopted as symbols of support or awareness. As a result, various causes may often share the same, or similar, ribbon color or colors. With new awareness days, weeks, and months, and ribbon colors, designs and symbols being created for causes, conditions, and cancer awareness - there is a lot!!!

In 1963 Gerald Gasson of the National Autistic Society in the UK created a puzzle shaped logo about his child’s “puzzling condition” of Autism. It featured a child crying in the foreground and a green and black puzzle piece background. The intention was to represent the complexity and mystery surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). At the time, very little was known or understood about autism, so it was like putting together a puzzle and trying to understand the bigger picture, but to many this also displayed the notion that autism was a tragic disease that children suffered from.

The version of the Autism puzzle piece we see most often today is the Autism Awareness ribbon created by the Autism Society in 1999. With its different colors and combinations, for some, it better represents the diversity of people living on the autism spectrum. To directly quote the foundation, “The brightness of the ribbon signals hope - hope that through increased awareness of autism, and early intervention and access to appropriate services/supports, people with autism will lead full lives able to interact with the world on their own terms.” But in this context the statement “increased awareness of autism, and through early intervention” typically meant putting research and money into finding a cure and treatment for autism.

The debate and controversy on the appropriateness of the puzzle piece as a symbol for Autism is still going strong and the meaning behind the symbol still elicits very harsh reactions, both positive and negative. The puzzle piece symbol has faced significant criticism from the autistic community, and is viewed as infantilizing (prolonged treatment of one who is not a child, as though they are a child) and suggesting that individuals with autism are incomplete or missing pieces. This perception has led to the argument that it promotes the idea of autism as a problem to be solved or fixed. This symbol has also faced criticism from autism advocates, siting a historical link to eugenics (beliefs and practices that aim to improve the genetic quality of a human population), and the belief in fixing or curing autism is both harmful and stigmatizing.

The puzzle piece symbol has been highly criticized for its association with Autism Speaks, an organization that has been accused of promoting a negative view of autism and focusing on finding cures rather than accepting and supporting autistic individuals. In 2006, Autism Speaks began a campaign for autism awareness. In doing this, they ran a variety of advertisements on TV, which were later archived to YouTube. “I Am Autism,” can still be found on YouTube, a voice speaking about how autism ruins families and to directly quote the ad, “I (autism) work very quickly I work faster than pediatric AIDS, cancer, and diabetes combined and if you are happily married I will make sure your marriage fails your money will fall into my hands and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain.” It is because of this many people with autism find the puzzle piece to be something they do not wish to represent them as it’s so deeply tied into Autism Speaks. I haven't supported this organization for many years now, as I believe they have only gone downhill.

So, what happens when the original symbol is no longer relevant or the public’s perception of that symbol changes? That’s exactly what has happened within the Autism community in recent years. Not only has the call been sounded to move away from the original symbol for awareness, but also to replace the word awareness with acceptance. A puzzle piece is a part of something unfinished, and a piece by itself means the puzzle is incomplete, which can imply that people with autism are somehow incomplete. In response to the many controversies surrounding the puzzle piece, new alternative symbols have been proposed and blasted across social media, the most popular two being the rainbow infinity symbol and the butterfly. The infinity symbol signifies the idea that autism is a broad spectrum, endless, and diverse and aims to celebrate the diversity of the autism community, focusing on acceptance and understanding, rather than on 'solving' or 'treating' autism. The butterfly represents diversity, inspiration, and the evolution of abilities within society. Both of these symbols emphasize the potential for growth and change in individuals with Autism, and combined they are a beautiful representation.

 

The term neurodiversity “refers to the concept that certain developmental disorders are normal variations in the brain. And according to Web MD, people who have these features also have certain strengths. Neurodivergent individual are not broken. They are not missing any pieces. They are simply built differently! Embrace them!!!!

 

Sunday Blessings - worship service

 

 Order of the Worship of God
— April 7, 2024 —
Second Sunday of Easter

Pastor: The Lord will not forsake those who call upon Him! He will not be
far from us.

Adapted from Psalm 38:21

When Death Was Arrested

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin
Lost without hope with no place to begin
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began

Ash was redeemed only beauty remains
My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began

Chorus
Oh Your grace so free washes over me
You have made me new now life begins with You
It's Your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new now life begins with You

Released from my chains I'm a pris'ner no more
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began (Chorus)

Our Savior displayed on a criminal's cross
Darkness rejoiced as though Heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That's when death was arrested and my life began (Chorus)

Oh we're free free forever we're free
Come join the song of all the redeemed
Yes we're free free forever amen
When death was arrested and my life began (repeat)
When death was arrested and my life began
When death was arrested and my life began

Adam Kersh, Brandon Coker, Heath Balltzglier, Paul Taylor Smith
CCLI Song #7046448
© 2015 Seems Like Music; Adam Kersh Music; Bcoker Music;
Centricity Songs; Paul Taylor Smith Publishing; Music At North

 

 

Sea of Thieves

I have always had a fascination for Ships and Pirates, so this game is right up my alley. LOL! 

Autism Acceptance

April used to be known as Autism Awareness Month. In March 2021, the Autism Society of America and other status disability organizations throughout the United States officially announced they had all intents and purposes to refer to April as Autism Acceptance Month instead of Autism Awareness Month. In our house, we live this every day.

Autism can present in many ways, and there is not one way to be autistic. Acceptance can lead to greater support, which is necessary for autistic people to reach their full potential. Acceptance promotes self-esteem and self-acceptance in people with autism, and contributes to a sense of belonging and community, both of which can promote general well-being. The autism community needs acceptance—both from themselves and, more crucially, from society at large — in order to thrive. Acceptance means embracing individuals with autism for who they are, recognizing their unique strengths and abilities, and celebrating their achievements.

 

Awareness vs. Acceptance, what’s the difference? 

“Awareness is knowing that somebody has autism. Acceptance is when you include (a person with autism) in your activities. Help (them) to develop in that community and get that sense of connection to other people"- Christopher Banks, President and CEO of The Autism Society of America

 

 

Goodbye March ...

 

“April’s Splendor”

Behold, the month of April is alive,

When all but nature springs with hope and grace,

The clouds of gray and winter finally die,

Green fields and buds now decorate the space.

The rains of April breathe new life in fields,

Refreshing and renewing all the earth,

The season’s warmth the cold weather yields,

A beauty that defies all season’s worth.

Sweet fragrance fills the air in all its bloom,

A symphony of color spills and flows,

The birds and animals start to resume,

A life anew that only nature knows.

April, the season’s call of springtime cheer,

A time where all of nature comes to rear.